159 Assisted Living Communities in Palm Beach County, Florida

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $3,620 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 159 Assisted Living Communities in Palm Beach County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Palm Beach County, FL

• Assisted Living: $3,620
• Nursing Home Care: $7,756
• In-home Care: $3,480
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,517

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study shows that in Palm Beach County, the average monthly price of assisted living is $3,620. Costs here are $120 above the state average and $380 below the national average. Prices are somewhat lower to the south in Miami ($3,350) and similar to the north in Palm Bay ($3,750) and Sebastian ($3,524). 

Statewide, assisted living prices in Florida tend to reflect the local cost of living in each area. Costs are highest in Naples ($5,448) and lowest in cities located inland, such as Sebring ($3,038). 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Palm Beach County, so data for the closest city, Port St. Lucie, was used. 

At $7,756 per month, nursing home care is the most expensive senior care option in Palm Beach County because it includes 24/7 skilled nursing in a state-licensed facility. Assisted living costs less than half of what a nursing home does since this type of care is geared towards seniors who are able to manage most of their own medical needs.  In-home care options include homemaker services ($3,480) and a home health aide ($3,813). To determine the true monthly cost of in-home senior care service, day-to-day living costs should be factored in, such as mortgage or rent payments, HOA fees, groceries and transportation, all which are included in assisted living. 

Medicaid is a federally mandated health plan that provides health coverage to those who are unable to pay for health insurance. It’s jointly funded by federal and state governments, and mandatory benefits include: 

 

 

• Emergency and acute hospital services
• Doctor visits
• Nurse practitioner services
• X-rays and lab services
• Nursing facility services
• Transportation to Medicaid appointments
• Home health services 

 

Medicaid is administered by each state, and optional, state-specific benefits may include: 

 

 

 

 

• Vision testing and prescription eyeglasses
• Prosthetics
• Dental care and dentures
• Podiatry services
• Prescription drug coverage
• Self-directed personal care
• Private duty nursing 
• End-of-life care

 

To qualify for long-term Medicaid coverage with access to home and community-based services, seniors aged 65 and older must: 

 

 

 

 

• Be U.S. citizens or hold eligible immigration status
• Have a valid Social Security number
• Live full-time in Florida
• Have a monthly income of $2,313 or less
• Own $2,000 or less worth of countable assets, or
• Own $3,000 or less worth of countable joint assets when applying with a spouse

 

A number of assets are exempt under Medicaid rules, including one vehicle and an owner-occupied home valued at $585,000 or less. Also exempt is any income that a non-applicant spouse earns. 

For more information on Florida’s Medicaid program, contact ACCESS Florida at (866) 762-2237. 

Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program

The Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program is a Medicaid nursing home diversion program that provides community-based long-term care services for eligible seniors. These services are delivered through managed care organizations in noninstitutional settings, such as assisted living facilities. 

To enroll in the SMMC LTC program, seniors must be screened by the Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services program. This federally mandated assessment determines the placement for each applicant, which provides the most independence without compromising health or safety. 

Seniors enrolled in SMMC LTC are provided benefits based on medical need, and these services may include:

 

 

 

 

• Adult day health care
• Personal and attendant care
• Homemaker services
• Intermittent nursing
• Medication administration and management
• Disposable medical supplies
• Durable medical equipment
• A medical alert device
• Speech, respiratory, occupational and/or physical therapy
• Transportation
• Hospice care

 

To request a CARES assessment, contact the Department of Elder Affairs, Planning and Service Area 9A, in West Palm Beach at (561) 840-3150. 

 

 

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

Seniors aged 55 and older who meet Medicaid’s criteria for nursing home placement may qualify for enrollment in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. 

PACE provides comprehensive, community-based medical services and supports that let seniors age in place in their home or an assisted living setting. PACE services include all mandatory Medicaid benefits along with enhanced services, such as adult day care, rehabilitation therapies and in-home care. 

To qualify for PACE, seniors must:

 

 

• Be aged 55 or older
• Live in a PACE service area
• Qualify for Medicaid, or
• Qualify for Medicaid and Medicare, or
• Have the ability to self pay
• Be able to live in a noninstitutional setting with supports available through PACE




• Once seniors are enrolled in PACE they receive all of their care services from PACE-affiliated providers. There are three PACE centers located throughout Palm Beach County. 
  
  For more information, contact MorseLife, the Palm Beach County PACE provider, at (561) 570-2816. 
  
  Elderlife Financial Bridge Loan
  
  Seniors who need to borrow money to pay for assisted living may qualify for a bridge loan from Elderlife Financial. This loan is designed to cover care costs for seniors who are: 




• Selling their home to move into an assisted living facility
• Waiting for VA enhanced pension approval
• Liquidating investments to pay for long-term care
• Looking for an alternative to a reverse mortgage




• Because this is an unsecured loan set up as a line of credit, borrowers need to have a high credit score. Up to six people can be listed on the loan application to help improve the overall creditworthiness of the application and share in the care costs. 
  
  Interest is calculated on a prime-plus basis and is charged only on the amount borrowed. Money from the loan can be sent directly to the assisted living community, and the loan can be paid off at any time without penalty. 
  
  For more information call Elderlife Financial at (888) 228-4500. 

 

 

Palm Beach County’s Veterans Services helps veterans and survivors collect their maximum entitlements through local, state and federal benefit programs. Service is by appointment only. 

Comprehensive VA health services, including emergency, primary and hospital care is provided at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. 

Palm Beach County Veterans Services
810 Datura St., West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 355-4761

West Palm Beach VA Medical Center
7305 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33410
(561-422-8262

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.